For a second year in a row, Bill Williamson remained in the chair of King Solomon when he was proclaimed master of Garstang Lodge No 6633 in the presence of Chris Butterfield, the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
Chris was accompanied by the Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group Scott Devine and group vice chairman Chris Larder. Akso present were Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Larry Branyan and Provincial Grand Steward Andy McClements.
The lodge was opened by the WM Bill Williamson who conducted the proclamation ceremony together with acting director of ceremonies Ken Turner from Wyreside Lodge No 2605.
Bill invited Frank Horn to occupy the seat of installing senior warden, Ian Brook to occupy the seat of installing junior warden and Peter Roberts to act as installing inner guard.
The third degree working tools were presented by Ran Fisher, the second degree working degree tools were presented by Colin Richmond and the first degree working tools were presented by Chris Yates. The WM appointed Ran Fisher as senior warden and Ian Brook as junior warden.
Eddie Parkinson gave the address to the master, the address to the wardens was given by Scott Devine and the address to the brethren of Garstang Lodge was given by Chris Butterfield. Chris brought greetings from Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and congratulated Bill Williamson on taking the chair of King Solomon for the second year running and all those who taken part in the ceremony.
Chris was presented with a list of donations by Bill that the lodge had made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities totalling £1,140. Chris thanked Bill and the brethren of the lodge for their generous donations on behalf of the recipients.
On completion of the proclamation ceremony, Bill was presented with a founders’ jewel by lodge secretary Frank Horn.
A total of 29 brethren attended the festive board. The charity collection raised £100.93, the raffle £160 and an additional £20 from the master’s swindle. The toast to the WM was given by Colin Richmond. The Master’s Song was performed by George Fox from Vale Lodge No 5256, accompanied by the organist David Tattersall from Runic Lodge No 6019.
WM Bill Williamson was born in Pilling in 1956. He left school at 15 and has spent most of his working life as joiner, setting up his own business in 1983. Bill has been married for 43 years to Janet and they have a daughter Jenny, a son Robert and five grandchildren.
Bill was initiated into Garstang Lodge on 26 April 1983 and will have been a mason for 40 years in April 2023. Bill’s grandad, George Croasdell, was WM of Garstang Lodge in 1960 and his father Bill Williamson Snr was also WM of Garstang Lodge in 1981, making Bill a ‘Lewis’ of the lodge.
He has held posts in the lodge as ADC, DC and charity steward. He has been a director of Garstang Masonic Hall Ltd since 2000. Bill is a Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in the Craft and a Past Assistant Grand Sojourner in Royal Arch. He is also a member of another Masonic Order.
